Woman of Samaria
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and began to wonder among themselves who could have brought him
food in their absence. But Jesus explained, “My meat is to do the will
of Him that sent me, and to finish his work.”
It was not temporal food alone that sustained him in his arduous
life; but the accomplishment of the work which he left the royal courts
of Heaven to perform, strengthened him for his labors, and lifted him
above the necessities of humanity. To minister to a soul hungering and
thirsting for the truth was more satisfying to the Son of Man than eating
or drinking. He pitied sinners; his heart went out in sympathy for the
poor Samaritans, who felt their ignorance and wretchedness, and were
eagerly looking for the advent of Messiah, who would enlighten them
and teach them the true religion.
The Jews felt secure in their self-righteousness, they desired no
enlightenment; but they looked for a Saviour who would release them
from the bondage of the Roman yoke, and exalt them above their
oppressors. They could not receive one who reproved their sins and
condemned their selfish, hypocritical lives. They looked for a Messiah
who would reign with worldly power and glory, confound and defeat
the Romans, and exalt the Jews to a nation of princes.
Jesus saw a field of labor among the Samaritans. Before him lay the
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fields of grain, their tender green lit by the golden sunlight. Viewing
the beautiful scene, he employed it as a symbol, “Say not ye there
are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto
you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white
already to harvest.” He here referred to the gospel field, to the work of
Christianity among the poor, despised Samaritans. His hand reached
out to gather them into the garner; they were ready for the harvest.
The Saviour was above all prejudice of nation or people; he was
willing to extend the blessings and privileges of the Jews to all who
would accept the light which he came to the world to bring. It caused
him great joy to behold even one soul reaching out to him from the
night of spiritual blindness. That which Jesus had withheld from the
Jews and enjoined upon his disciples to keep secret, was distinctly
opened before the inquiring woman of Samaria; for He who knew all
things perceived that she would make a right use of her knowledge
and be the means of leading others to the true faith.
It was not merely the fact that Jesus told her concerning the secrets
of her life which inspired the confidence of this woman in him, but